Spur of the Moment Blueberry Zucchini Bread
I know what you’re thinking. Blueberries? In zucchini bread? My husband thought the same thing. But when he came home this evening and sampled this lovely creation – all flecked with green zucchini strips and deep purple berries – he could only say one thing: wow.
I had no intention of making this bread today. I did plan on posting a zucchini bread recipe in honor of National Zucchini Bread Day on April 25th, but then the recipe I tried produced a loaf so dry I ran for a drink of water after taking a bite. Definitely an epic fail, yet I’m nothing if not tenacious when it comes to turning failure into victory. I believe stick-to-it-ness is an important quality for any baker/cook to have. We all have recipes that flop in the kitchen, but ultimately it’s what you learn from the failure that matters. Never give up! Never surrender! Who knows what delectable goodness lies just around the corner?
Though it was pouring outside I shrugged into my raincoat, put my game face on and headed to the grocery store. I didn’t know what I needed – aside from zucchini – but I knew I wanted to make a moist, fluffy bread with rich color and full flavor. So I added Greek yogurt to my basket, stocked up on King Arthur whole wheat flour (it has a finer texture than other brands, I find) and headed back home for a day of baking, sandwiched between studying for final exams and telecommuting for work.
Two loaves and several hours later, this cinnamon and nutmeg spiced loaf emerged from my oven. I added the blueberries at the last moment, just before mixing the wet and dry ingredients. I’d seen them in my freezer earlier and thought they’d add an interesting dimension to the bread. I wasn’t 100% certain the combination would work… but it did. Victory! She was mine. 
I hope you enjoy this Blueberry Zucchini Bread as much as I do. Also, here is what some other foodbloggers have done with zucchini bread:
- My Special Zucchini Bread from 101 Cookbooks
- Zucchini Bread from Simply Recipes
- Zucchini Bread from Smitten Kitchen
- Zucchini Bread with Roasted Peppers and Feta from Closet Cooking
Happy National Zucchini Bread Day! (I just love food holidays. Don’t you?)
Don’t forget about the monthly book giveaway! March’s winner has been posted on the giveaway page. April’s book giveaway April’s book giveaway includes one copy of “Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey: Desserts for the Serious Sweet Tooth,” by Jill O’Connor.
Blueberry Zucchini Bread (My Recipe)
Ingredients: Makes 1 large 9×5 inch loaf
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 cups grated zucchini (about 3 small zucchinis)
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with baking spray and lightly dust with flour, tapping out any excess flour. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
In a large bowl combine the flours, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg.
In another large bowl combine the grated zucchini, eggs, yogurt, vanilla and sugar.
Gently toss the blueberries with 2 teaspoons of the flour mixture. This will help prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the loaf.
Add the flour mixture to the zucchini mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in the blueberries.
Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until the loaf is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then run a butter knife around the edges and turn it out onto a cooling rack. Let the bread cool completely before slicing it.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:- Banana Blueberry Quick Bread
- Whole Wheat Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes
- Yeasted Chocolate-Chip Pumpkin Bread
- Autumn Apple Bread
- (Vegetarian) Whole Wheat Chorizo-Onion Bread
- Blueberry-Raspberry Honey-Butter Glazed Scones
- Blueberry & Raspberry Jelly Doughnuts for a Happy Chanukah
- Gooey Goodness, thou art Mozzarella Bread
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66 Responses to “Spur of the Moment Blueberry Zucchini Bread”
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Oh my…this bread looks so moist and the colors….wow! Wonderful rich colors. I think an extra thick slice would be perfect company for my cup of hot coffee.
I still have to try making zucchini bread… Yours looks fantastic and so delicious!
Cheers,
Rosa
I had no idea the 25th was National Zucchini Bread Day! Im so excited because just the other day I was thinking about making it. Now I have more reason to do it this week
Thanks for the awesome receipe
This zucchini bread looks fabulous! I just love the contrast of the dark purple berries with the vibrant green flecks. I think zucchini bread sounds like a perfect vehicle for some blueberry add-ins. What a fabulously moist and tender creation. The bread looks absolutely delicious.
So yes, I did think “Blueberries? In zucchini bread?” Except, it was more like “Really? Why didn’t *I* think of that?!” That sounds wonderful, and I love the colors in the loaf. And zucchini bread day, you say? Hmm…..
“We all have recipes that flop in the kitchen, but ultimately it’s what you learn from the failure that matters.”
Amen to that!! Practice makes perfect, in the kitchen
And hey, I LOVE the idea of blueberries in zucchini bread – yum!!
VeggieGirl´s last blog post -> Satisfying Reader Requests
I must’ve been waiting for this post because last night, I briefly considered using the small zuchinni I bought this week, as a dinner side but eschewed them in favor of cauliflower! Of course, I happen to have a brand new container of Greek yogurt in the fridge, and a bag of blueberries in the freezer. The universe, she is mighty and mysterious!
I love recipes that use yogurt. I would never have thought of adding blueberries to zucchini bread. Great isea! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Oh this looks wonderful. I’ve made a blueberry zucchini bread recipe before so I’m looking forward to trying your recipe. Thank you very much.
The cake looks yum…. love those green specks…
If it ever warms up (-6*C/22F outside), and we can plant our zucchini, we should have an abundance of them before too long. Then – then it will be zucchini bread day! Love that the recipe uses no added fat and how the green shines from the bread.
I love zucchini bread! and it sounds really tasty with blueberries in it.
looks divine! i love new and interesting combinations. have you tried baking with lavender? it’s a suprisingly yummy flavor
Alix – I have indeed! Lavender is one of my favorite flavors. There is a recipe for Lavender Ice Cream with Candied Violet Petals in the archives that you may like.
My recipe is similar to this one, but I have never added in blueberries. I can’t wait to try it! Looks fabulous!
Maria´s last blog post -> Berry Trifle with Lemon Mousse
I commend your “stick-to-it-ness!” Especially when unique baked goods are the result
Lovely photograph too.
I could totally be a part of this. Love the idea of using Greek yogurt in the bread.
It’s still too cold here for my garden to have started, but come summer when I have zucchini coming out my ears I’ll have to remember to make some bread with blueberries in it!
brilynn´s last blog post -> Brunch
I’m making a couple quick breads today. I glad to hear you recommend the King Arthur whole wheat flour, since that’s what I bought. When blueberries and zucchini come into season around here, I’ll be sure to give your bread a try too!
Janel´s last blog post -> Library Loot 4/23/09
Doesn’t sound odd to me at all! I’ve done Blueberry Zucchini Muffins before. Delicious!
one year I made a differant zucc bread a week during the summer. Never one with bluberries. Sounds good
It seems very interesting!
This looks delicious! Love the addition of the nutmeg!
Finally a zucchini recipe without a cup of oil in it! I’ve never made zucchini bread because of the ubiquitous and over abundant amount of oil. I’ve considered trying it with apple sauce as an oil substitute but hadn’t gotten that “round tuit”. Thanks for the updated and much healthier recipe.
It is always so disappointing when recipes don’t turn out – especially when you have to venture back to the store! Good for you!!
Culinary Wannabe´s last blog post -> I’m back – and with Spring Risotto
I love this idea! I’ve never thought of adding blueberries =)
I never had zucchini bread but addition of cinnamon and nutmeg makes everything delicious! And blueuberries….
Marked!
I love zucchini bread! I remember the first time someone made me try it…I was young and convinced it would taste like vegetables. But it’s soooo good! I’ve been a huge fan ever since that first taste.
Hayley´s last blog post -> quiz time!
You brave woman, you, with your interesting combos of ingredients! And we all benefit! Thanks!
King Arthur flour is the best! Love the Organic White Whole Wheat. Mary @ KAF
I have a small amount of raspberries in my freezer that will probably work for this. I’m trying to use everything up in my fridge and freezer, which is turning out to be an adventure!
I made zucchini with chocolate chips once. Delish! I like the idea of the blueberry.
Paz
Paz´s last blog post -> Help Donate 1,000 Cookies for Mother’s Day…
Oh what a lovely photo! This is one of the best shots I’ve seen of a quick bread in a while.
The recipe sounds lovely. I will bookmark it immediately.
Erica from Cooking for Seven´s last blog post -> Creamy Sweet Onion Soup
Never would have thought of this on my own, but I think I might try it!
wow! what a great idea! zucchini and blueberries… what a healthy delicious bread!
Wow-I love the idea of zucchini and blueberries. This is great.
Esmeralda´s last blog post -> Breakfast Carbs
I’ve never thought about adding blueberries–but I do love zucchini nut bread! I make it often–sometimes those packages of zucchini at TJ’s are just too hard to pass up. I’ve never had a loaf turn out dry–I would be so upset if it did because I always make 2 loaves at a time–and I think it is bc I use olive oil for the fat. Greek yogurt is a great idea–the next time I make it, I might to half and half. Thanks for the tip!
Excellent bread with blueberry! See my zuchini bread with walnut in
http://rajikitchen.blogspot.com/2008/10/zucchini-bread-with-walnut-or-pecan-my.html
Rajee – OMG the zucchini in your post is HUGE!!
Wow, this looks so cool. I wouldn’t have thought to put those two together, but I’m going to have to try it.
nik´s last blog post -> Here comes the sun da da da da
Oh Ari, the more of your posts I read, the more I realize how much we have in common. Whenever I have a kitchen related flop, I always feel anxious to get back in there and try again, until the result is a success. I commend you for your positive attitude, not getting discouraged by your first attempt- in the end, your zucchini bread came out simply scrumptious and I love the twist of the added blueberries! Thanks for letting me know about National Zucchini Bread Day… if I get to the market in time, I’ll definitely be making a batch tomorrow
Hope all is well with you, and have a wonderful weekend!
-Joy
Joy – I’m glad we have so much in common! Determination is the kitchen is an especially great quality to share, I bet we’d have lots of fun coming up with new recipes together.
a stroke of genius is what it was.
truly, i can’t think of any other baked good that i’ve seen containing something blue and something green. it’s a gorgeous loaf, and i’m sure “wow” was in order. 
Hey, why not? Zucchini bread is great, blueberries are great… it makes sense to me
Judith´s last blog post -> Cookbook Spotlight: Fried Matzoh from Gale Gand’s Brunch
I love this kind of recipes!!!
Lovely bread! The bluberries seem to be a great last-minute addition. I’ve had my share of baking flops but you’re right, us bakers need to stick with it and continue to experiment, that’s the most fun of it all!
http://www.katskitchen.wordpress.com
And those blueberries look HUGE! What a nice, sweet treat.
The Duo Dishes´s last blog post -> Let Them Eat Cake
The way you think inspires me. Blueberries? Really?
Makes me want to get away from those stereotypical pairings, and try something awesome like you
I really like the combo of the flecks of green with the blue in this bread!
I’m heading to the kitchen right now! looks delish!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! An amazing recipe! I have been making Zucchini Bread for awhile now and never have I thought of adding anything!! Wonderful!
Happy to see that this recipe isn’t loaded with some kind of oil, which is what I find most in zucchini bread recipes.
wow.great job for trying again and succeeding. the bread looks really good.
I wonder why they chose April to celebrate zucchini bread. Seems like someone feel asleep at the wheel on that one.
Lovely and unique bread, Aria.
I LOVE the site updates…and the recipe looks great too!
Mixing Bowl Mama´s last blog post -> Fresh Bread Everyday
SO glad you like it! I’m not 100% done yet, but enough of the updates have been uploaded to have the site live.
Stay tuned.
wow..never thought of zucchini with blueberry
Hello! I tried this out yesterday and it turned out great! It was a big hit with everyone in the family! Thanks again for the great recipe!
Casey Jane – Yay! I’m glad you tried the recipe and that your family enjoyed it.
This bread looks very good . I can’t wait until summer when I can get the ingredients(blueberries and zucchini) at our local farmer’s markets. Of course, I am open to other persons excess!
ooh, this sounds like a winning combination to me
ttfn300´s last blog post -> Ramps!
I like your new design A LOT. It’s very nice, clear, and welcoming.
And the better is that now I can see the front picture from my work (because I cannot see the one in the post…).
GREAT!
Mélanie´s last blog post -> Another spin on rhubarb and strawberries
I love the addition of greek yogurt! Most recipes use sour cream, but greek yogurt is sooo much better for you. So are the blueberries. And speaking of both, I may buy extra of both and mix them up for a snack while I am waiting for this bread to come out of the oven!
Oh isnt that mouth watering!!!! love food not only just eating but cooking too…oh will make these recipes soon…Yummyyyy!!!!!
This looks wonderfully moist, Ariela. I’ve never made zucchini bread although I did once make a zucchini & chocolate chip traybake which was awesome! One day I’ll have to try this one out.
I was looking for a recipe for zucchini bread without so much oil. I made this one yesterday and it was lovely. Very moist and the blueberries really added a nice dimension to it. It was also very popular with the kids. Will definitely make it again!